Galleries and museums used to delight us with their festive decorations. Now they prefer low-grade agitprop
Christmas trees in their full extravagant, sumptuous glory are perhaps still best sampled in London’s grander Victorian and Edwardian hotels. Without stretching to drinks or tea at five star prices, the capital’s galleries and museums used to be a reliable second best for this seasonal delight. For any children one had in tow, such baubles sugared the pill of being dragged around another exhibition. Sadly, this Yuletide inducement to early cultural immersion can no longer be offered, as these edifying institutions have either given up on Christmas or – worse – feel obliged to give us some “relevant” message.
